Stiliyan Petrov has been sorely missed at Aston Villa this season but a
surprise visit last weekend lifted Paul Lambert’s players and inspired them
towards a timely 2-1 third-round victory.

Petrov’s renowned battling qualities have risen to the fore again as he continues his fight against leukaemia, with the club captain currently in remission after being diagnosed in March last year.

His legendary status at Villa Park is reflected at every home game when supporters give him a standing ovation in the 19th minute, in tribute to the shirt he has worn.

With Lambert’s Aston Villa young team still very much a work in progress, Petrov’s leadership and experience would have been invaluable.

The Bulgarian’s battle is far from over but there are already plans to offer him a coaching role when he completes his recovery, while he is expected to lead out Villa’s team if they reach the Capital One Cup final at Wembley next month.

Petrov’s appearance in the dressing room served as a reminder to Lambert’s squad that avoiding relegation from the Premier League is a trivial task in comparison.

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Shay Given, the goalkeeper, said: “It was fantastic to see him and he is a real fighter and a great guy. He is still fighting hard with all the treatment he is getting and we are all behind him.

"We know we are in a relegation fight in the league but to see the fight Stan is having is really inspirational. He is still a joker and has a laugh with the lads, he comes in as if nothing is the matter.

“Before the game he had a joke with me and asked if I was playing and if I remembered what I am doing! He gave everyone a huge lift.”

Villa certainly needed a lift after such a difficult recent run and Lambert’s players appear far more relaxed in cup competitions, away from the stresses of the league.

They will face Bradford in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday night with confidence restored after Andreas Weimann’s 83rd-minute header ended Ipswich’s resistance.

The Championship club had been in control in the first period and took the lead through Eric Lichaj’s own goal before Darren Bent levelled with a typically crisp finish 40 seconds into the second half. Villa finished the game strongly and Weimann’s header proved the crucial contribution.

Lambert still required Given to produce an impressive performance in only his sixth appearance of the season, with one save late on from substitute Aaron Mclean outstanding.

It was no surprise to a rueful Mick McCarthy, the Ipswich manager, who worked with Given during his time in charge of the Republic of Ireland.

“Shay has always been a pain in the side when he’s been playing against me,” he said. “He was one of the main reasons we got to the World Cup, he’s a great guy. I think he was the best in the Premier League for a long time.”